Northampton County News

Monarch butterflies are starting to migrate through the Lehigh Valley. An annual tagging program, held at Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, helps conservation efforts.

"67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania' will be on display at the Bethlehem Township campus through Sunday, Sept. 22.

Testimony that will help a Northampton County judge decide if a lawsuit against the Bethlehem Landfill and Lower Saucon Twp. can move forward continued Friday, and will stretch into a third day.

Families who pay tuition for schooling are on the receiving end of more than $200,000. The Bridge Educational Foundation is giving scholarships to those who meet the income qualifications at two area schools.

The Tom JeBran Collection features a dozen rare electric Martin Guitars and amps. It will be on display until September 2025.

Debra Biro, Melanie Heilman, Steve Lynch and Richard Morea face charges of harassment following a raucous Northampton County Republican Committee meeting involving pornographic images.

Pennsylvania's 137th House District, based around Bethlehem Township and the Nazareth area, is one of the biggest toss-up legislative districts in the state. Democratic challenger Anna Thomas is embroiled in a rematch with Republican incumbent state Rep. Joe Emrick.

The Northampton County Elections Office said it has gotten several reports of county voters receiving text messages from "AllVote.com." It's at least the second text-based scam in the Lehigh Valley that county officials are aware of.

A 27-year-old driver from New York was charged with homicide by vehicle and related crimes in connection with the death of 67-year-old Susan Henderson, of Norristown, state police said. It happened on Hecktown Road in Lower Nazareth Township on Tuesday.

The Lehigh Valley's newest bagel shop is officially in full swing, holding its grand opening Wednesday Aug. 28. Customers have continuously raved about the bagel spot since its soft opening mid-July.

Criminal charges — including involuntary manslaughter in one case — have been filed against two Northampton County young people who, trying to replicate TikTok challenges, seriously injured and killed participants, the Northampton County District Attorney's Office said.

Leroy Mendez, 37, was charged with aggravated assault, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI and accidents involving death or personal injury, all felonies, police said.

Challenges for would-be homeowners in Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley are even more evident, with housing reflecting a mix of aging stock, rising values and a growing divide between homeowners and renters.

The largest green space in Easton, situated in the West Ward, Easton Cemetery officials are working to generate revenue through membership, fundraisers and events.

Three Lehigh Valley projects are in the running for Green Building United’s 2025 Groundbreaker Awards. Winners will be announced Oct. 9.

Northampton County and state Game Commission officials celebrated the opening of Gerald E. Seyfried Bear Swamp Park and Archery Complex and Wayne A. Grube Memorial Park with events at both locations.

After a social media post from a Northampton County councilwoman about Charlie Kirk's death spurred an uproar from residents, many took to Thursday night's council meeting to voice their frustrations and concerns. Council also proposed a new resolution condemning political violence.

Matthew Torres pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle while DUI and other charges in the Aug. 4, 2024, death of Leanna Ferraj, 24, of Brooklyn, New York, who was a front-seat passenger in his car.

After more than a year of negotiations between the developer and a county authority, Northampton County Council is preparing to decide whether a project to build 405 apartments in the former Dixie Cup building in Wilson will get a $26 million property tax break.

Pennsylvania saw 201.6 million visitors, generating $49.9 billion in visitor spending and $83.9 billion in economic impact in 2024. In the Lehigh Valley, visitor spending increased 1.5%, generating just over $2.5 billion.

Emil Giordano served as a presiding judge on Northampton County Court, Third Judicial District, from 204 through 2018. He joins Tom Shortell on the latest episode of Lehigh Valley Political Pulse to shed some insight on the role and his time on the bench.

Last week, SEPTA and Pittsburgh Regional Transit were permitted to use capital funds to finance operations in 2026. LANTA officials hope PennDOT will grant them same exception to avoid service cuts and fare hikes.